From the LocSec
By
December 2008
It's RG time! So much of this issue is about the Regional Gathering ("RG") that I won't go into too much detail here, but I will say that the RG is many things to many Mensans. It's the group's biggest activity, and your best chance to meet and talk with other members, both local and from afar. It's Cincinnati Area Mensa's largest fundraiser of the year; we use the RG to raise money so that we can give scholarships each year. It's a chance to get educated by some top-rate speakers. It's a chance to play games with people who will challenge you.
Not sure if you want to register? We have some good opportunities available to check it out for free. New members may attend Friday December 5 at no charge; contact registrar Marty Meighen for details. And any local member who volunteers can earn free registration time, generally one hour of free attendance for each hour donated; since I'm volunteer coordinator, contact me if that interests you.
I finally did it - I bought a life membership. Dues go up 13.5% in 2009, and all rates will go up - single year renewal, 3 year renewal, 5 year renewal, and life memberships. In order to buy a life membership as cheaply as I just did, I would have to wait at least 10 years - and that assumes no more dues increases. To my pleasant surprise, I learned that I'll get a refund for my remaining year on the 3 year renewal I bought in 2007. The old rates remain in effect through the end of 2008, so you can extend your membership for one year ($52 [$35 for additional members in the same household]), 3 years ($140), 5 years ($230), or life (based on age, ranging from $1482 for those under 10 to $320 for those in their low 80s; I paid $515, since I'm 50). If you wait until your membership expires, you will pay the higher rate ($59 for single year renewal, $39 for 2nd household members, $160 for 3 years, $260 for 5 years, with life membership rates raised proportionately). You can renew by mailing a check to the National Office, but it's probably easiest to use a credit card and renew at the AML website.
The current Excomm finishes its term at its December meeting, and the new Excomm then takes over. Five of seven Excomm members will return. I do know how well this Excomm worked this year - all seven members worked hard, leaving our egos at the door. We accomplished a lot, including a new dues subsidy procedure and a weapons policy for activities, and we did it all with smiles on our faces. When we disagreed, it was on the issues, not about each other - we disagreed without being disagreeable. I hope each of you will join me in thanking the outgoing Excomm, especially Bryan Mott and CE Reutter, and in hoping this spirit can continue in the future.
American Mensa will be asking people to vote for their favorite Mensa websites during December. Cincinnati has a long history of campaigns to stuff the ballot box (check out the history fan voting for baseball's All Star Teams), so I'll unapologetically urge you to vote for CAM’s website. Misty Richmond has put a lot of work into it, and she deserves the credit and the recognition.
And here's a little more information about "who we are." Of the 198 members who have provided information, 47 have never married, 101 are currently married, 35 are divorced, 2 are separated, 7 are widowed, and 3 are single living with a partner. 156 members have made available how many children live at home with them; 109 report none, 27 report 1, 10 report 2, 9 report 3, and 1 reports 4. Sixty of our members list a second language (and 23 list a third language); the languages include French (27), German (22), Spanish (22), Latin (4), Dutch (2), Russian (2), Hebrew (1), Hindi (1), Japanese (1), and a Native American language (1).
--Rick Magnus